The One Thing You Need to Do Before Starting a Novel… KNOW YOUR GENRE. (Here’s how!)

Note: this post was originally part of a writing series, and some comments may refer to that.

Of all the writing advice I’ve ever given, people have probably appreciated this the most: understand the genres of books, and know where yours fits in.

When I first started figuring out how to write a novel, I didn’t consider genres at all. This was a big mistake. You always have a better chance of success if you begin with a clear vision in mind of what you want to accomplish.

This post is to help you think about where you would categorize your story, and to help you get more savvy about the genre of your choice.

But maybe you’re thinking…

What if my novel doesn’t fit into a genre?

Think again. Genres are broad, there are lots of them, and they have developed over decades and centuries. There’s a place for your book in there.

Eventually, you will need to know the genre, because the editors and agents you submit to expect that in a query. If you are self-publishing, you will have to put it in one bookseller category or another — there is no “so special it transcends genre” category. Prospective readers will want to know what kind of book it is, too.

Here are a bunch of literary genres for your convenience, though it’s not a comprehensive list. Not all of them are mutually exclusive. These are in no particular order. If you’re not sure what one really is, Google around and read up!

(I’ll explain this one a little for you, because “Women’s Fiction” is probably the most slippery and the most unhelpfully named of the genres. Like romance, it does tend to be written by and read by women, but it does not mean “all fiction written by women”! It’s usually defined as a story about a woman’s emotional growth or journey. Family relationships or friendships often play a big role. I believe “chick lit” is generally seen as a subset of women’s fiction.)

If you think you have a hybrid genre — horror Western, for instance — that’s fine. Whatever it is, search around a little, and I think you’ll discover you’re not the only one.

Once you’ve landed on your genre, I strongly recommend the following:

READ 50 BLURBS OF BOOKS IN YOUR GENRE.

Do this on Amazon or on the Barnes and Noble website. You’re just reading the little description at the beginning. You can keep a tally sheet, like this.

You’re thinking: Seriously? 50?!

Stay with me for a minute. This is your secret weapon, right here. This is what is going to make you smarter than all the other aspiring authors. Nobody does this. Most people don’t even look at what other people are doing!

What seems original to you may actually be done to death. I see writers fall into this all the time. They finish their novel and submit it to editors, who say, “We’ve published ten fantasy novels with this exact plot in the past year. And in fact, so did all our competitors. No thanks.” Or they self-publish it, and readers leave reviews saying, “This was just like ten other stories I’ve read.” And the writer worked so hard on it! It’s awful. Don’t let this be you.

At the same time, you’ll also learn if one of the plot points you have in mind breaks the most fundamental rules of the genre: a mystery that never gets solved, a romance that ends when the heroine dies, and so on. If it doesn’t satisfy the expectations of the genre, you’ll want to either classify it as something else (such as literary or mainstream fiction) or change your story.

At the end of this, you are going to have a great feel for what people are doing, what’s popular, what’s possible, and what’s played out. You’ll feel like you know a little more about what you are doing – because you will. You’ll be (cue superhero music): genre savvy!

If you find out this week that you are working with an over-familiar concept, no worries! You can think of ways right out of the gate to make it original and make it your own. Isn’t it nice to do that now, and not when you’ve already written the whole thing?

If you see a book that sounds great, throw it in your shopping cart, or write down the title to take with you to the library. Because here’s my final recommendation:

READ TWO RECENTLY PUBLISHED NOVELS IN YOUR CHOSEN GENRE AND TAKE NOTES.

If you’re writing historical or time travel romance, you need to read more than Outlander. If you’re writing young adult, you need to read authors besides John Green. This really shouldn’t be a problem, because you love reading. You know you do.

Make notes of how the novel opens, and whether that opening makes you want to read more.

Write down the author’s good moves – witty dialogue, interesting plot points, gripping scenes, and things that make you feel strongly about the characters.

Make notes of the writers’ mistakes. What parts are boring? What sentences are stupid? What plot elements make no sense?

If you do all of this, congratulations! Instead of fumbling in the dark, you know where your novel-to-be will fit in the world. Moreover, your research and reading has probably inspired some more ideas about your story. Happy writing!

67 Comments

Great advice for a beginning writer Bryn or really for anyone looking to change genre. When I started out, I knew my genre. I read a lot of blurbs to figure out how to write and effective blurb. I imagine you’ll mention this to your writers later in the year but it bears thought now. They should look at which blurbs hook them to read more and which don’t. I for one detest blurbs that give most of the key plot points away. Hook me and get me interested but don’t tell me the entire story with your blurb.

Anne, that’s such a good point! I hadn’t really thought about that this early in the game, but this is also a great opportunity to think about how to craft a blurb well. 🙂 And that goes right along with my “begin with the end in mind” thinking.

I’m having a hard time figuring out how satire functions in terms of popular fiction. Is satire a genre itself or do satirical novels need to fit into a genre, in addition to being satire? Does anybody know the answer to that?

Great advice for those starting out! I’ve known my genre since I first started taking my writing semi-serious, about 5 years ago: historical romance, specifically Regency romance. Unfortunately, after 5 years, I’ve nothing to show for it.

Dear Laura – I am not sure that taking additional English courses is the answer (unless you are referring to grammar); and literary analysis may help you understand the flaws and brilliance of another writer’s technique, but it does not, necessarily, make you a better writer. It is the classes where you have to write well for a grade – history, political science, and/or communication (media) classes – involving research, conceptualization, arguing your point, and concluding it successfully that can help you hone your writing skills.

If it’s any consolation at all, I must have started 10 novels before finally finishing one. I don’t even know how many years I did that! It’s why I finally figured out a schedule for myself, in fact!

As to your other question: I have a B.A. in English with a Writing focus and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing… and I don’t think that they helped me learn how to write a novel. At all. I had to learn so much on my own — online, and at writing conferences — that I swear sometimes I wonder what the heck they did teach me. Not enough!

I don’t think you’re at a disadvantage at all. It would have been better for me if I had realized right away that I had a lot to learn.

I need to stop reading and start writing! lol I read and read and read. and then, I read some more. I laughed when I noted your suggestions. I do have a story (not a novel, a children’s story) mostly written. I need to get it past the looking thru it’s pockets for loose change (sorry–shades of ‘The Princess Bride’). Am hoping you can help me by giving me that push! I also have acres of notes and some audio notes on a set of twins who lived on a mountain ranch waaaaaay back when.(sort of like books written by Robert Newton Peck) But, I need to DO it.

Hey Kris! I write children’s books as part of my day job, and honestly, I’m not really sure this schedule is going to be helpful at all for that. But I’m sure it can help with your twins on a mountain ranch story (I’m already intrigued.) Obviously skip this assignment if you already know all about your genre. 🙂

It’s awesome that you read so much — it’s a habit I keep needing to reinforce in myself! At times the internet takes over, but I’m determined not to let that happen this year. You’re a good example for me!

Thanks, PJ! I’m working on a save-the-world modern lady ship captain who guards the Gate between life and death. When I went looking for “Contemporary Fantasy” blurbs, I mostly got wolf-vamp-bear-angel-demon stuff with titles like “Mated by a Martian” (I shit you not) and “Bear My Baby” (Okay, that last one I might try). Say what? Apparently, contemporary fantasy must be steamy. So I also read some “Fantasy” blurbs. After fifty-plus blurbs. I only found one other new release that has a wooden flying ship but it’s in a different era, and none of the characters sound like mine, so maybe I’m on the right track.

I have loved the fantasy genre (subgenres and all) since I was a little kid, and I’ve never heard of anything like this–but I REALLY wish I had. I would read something like this in a heartbeat. The contemporary fantasy genre has, as you said, gotten extremely repetitive and bland over the years. I’m no professional, but speaking as a life-long reader of fantasy novels of all kinds, I would say that you are absolutely on the right track! I think that a concept like this is the breath of fresh air that many readers of fantasy are looking for.

I am halfway through a novel that will probably end up being a series, but I am unsure of what genre. It has elements of mystery (my main female character is a spy posing as a teacher to solve the mystery of why children keep going missing), romance (she teams up with a former lover to gain information), and paranormal (my main character is an empath working against what she is being led to believe are witches, though she finds out later that is a front for something much bigger). Suggestions? Would it still fit in the romance sector – some of the romance scenes are pretty steamy, but there are not as many as a traditional romance.

I believe this genre is called “Bryn’s Kind of Story.” Haha! The number of sex scenes doesn’t really matter — some romances have none. I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the real villain/villainous group supernatural in nature?
2. Do the heroine and her former lover say “I love you” or make some kind of commitment — enough that you can say the love story in the book has a happy ending?

If the answers to both are yes, you’re probably writing paranormal romance.

If the answer to 1 is yes, and the answer to 2 is no, you are probably writing urban fantasy.

If the answers to both are no, it’s possible that you’re writing mystery, but I don’t know… an empath and suspicion of witches does push it a little out of straight-up mystery and over to the supernatural side of things.

I hope this helps! You may have to read some blurbs in a couple of categories to get a better idea of where it sits.

Thank you. I would say to the first question that the answer is more that it is supernatural, with the aid of technology. Their abilities are forced into individuals through the use of hypnotism, etc. aided by technology, but they are using the guise of a witches coven to cover up their true nature. In the end, if this becomes a series, it may be revealed that they are a secret government agency or something of the like working against the good of the country. Does that make it more scifi?
The answer to the 2nd question, is sort of. They do end on good terms, but since it will probably be a series that they will both be in, that is a bit of a blurry area. I do envision them continuing to work together because they realize that they truly love each other and can’t live without each other type of thing, but the stress of working as spies puts an extreme amount of tension on the relationship. Of course, in the beginning, he doesn’t know she’s a spy, but he does know of her empathic abilities from their prior relationship, which adds to his distrust of her until he learns to get over it.

Love it! I actually started rereading some of my favorites in the genre I plan on writing and taking notes as some prep work. Yay! I never would have thought about reading the blurbs. Such a wonderful idea. Thanks again.

Thanks for putting so much work into helping us, Bryn! I’m SO excited to do this. My genre is YA fantasy, and I’m a little nervous there won’t be enough blurbs to read or that I’ll find my exact idea already written. I guess we’ll see!

I have written a series of very short stories about a cautiously adventurous snail, which have been well-received by friends and family. The poor little guy doesn’t have a name, though, because it seems every time I give him one it’s someone else’s trademarked name. Soon, my slimy friend. Soon.

I have two other stories on the go. One started life as a modern retelling of Jane Eyre (my absolute favourite story), but it’s taken on a life of its own and is now an epic tale that needs to be finished and tamed into the YA bestseller I expect it to be.

My latest creation is still simmering away in my imagination, though it is partially outlined on paper. Young boy, selfish parents, distracted grandad, bullying cousin, and a frightening family secret.

I have the beginnings, the middles (or, at least the peaks of danger/turnin points), and the ends all worked out in my head. My problem is getting my YA stories from A to B then from B to C.

I have a book that I’ve done research for, YA Historical Fiction. It is a time travel novel a girl travels back to the East side of the Berlin Wall and the two people she helps escape turn out to be her current aunt and uncle. She never knew their story. This is the push I need to finally get it written.

Awesome! Here’s something you might enjoy — someone made a Goodreads list of YA time travel books. https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/ya-time-travel (I think they more often get shelved under YA science fiction, but it seems like I’ve seen it under YA historical as well.)

Bryn, you have some great advice here. I am looking forward to coming back each week to see what is next on the agenda. I am about half way through the first draft of a classical western novel that I am writing, and I have started a contemporary western crime drama to have something to work on when I need to take a break from the first book. I have had several short stories and poems published, but like some of the people who commented above, I have never had any formal training in how to write short stories or a novel. Most of what I have been able to learn has been through associating with other writers; particularly those who write in my preferred genre. I have discovered that most writers are thrilled to be able to share what they have learned and I have several who have been mentors to me.

I’m going to have to compromise on some of these things. I can DEFINITELY read 50 blurbs, but I may have to read some not-so-current (as in, published 2-3 years ago vs. in the last year) fantasy, because I’m going to have to stick with things I already own, since the budget is super-tight at the moment. Either way, the structure here is great! Definitely pointing in the right direction. 🙂

Buying a couple of books probably isn’t a problem with most people, but my husband was laid off a month ago, and we’re having problems with the unemployment agency, so we’re just in a really tight spot right now.

I’m sorry you’re in that situation, and I’m sending good wishes your way that things will turn around soon! Plenty of people have tight financial situations, so it is something I want to keep in mind… heaven knows I’ve been there, more than once!

What a great article. I wish you had done this before I started my book! I’m reasonably confident my plot is fairly original but just in case I’m not going to risk reading lots of blurbs just in case. I have got a writing playlist thou.

I’ve just begun on my new writing career. My favorite genre is contemporary romance and YA dystopian romance. I’ve journeyed down different career paths and have always loved writing, but have never really made the time to write. I’m 54 and semi retired and so glad I came across your blog. I wrote my first 58,000 words on NaNoWriMo this past November. It’s locked away for a few months because I’m sure it’s probably not very good. I’m not trained as a writer. I’ve taken a few creative classes online and where I really need help is in developing characters. I find it so difficult to create characters that will have conflicting attributes in order to make them deeper characters. I’m hoping I’ll be able to find help. I’ve just joined RWA and will be joining a writing group. God bless you for sharing yourself with all of us. May He bless your career for many years to come.

Danys! Congratulations on starting a new path. That’s so exciting! And way to rock NaNoWriMo, too. So glad to have you here, and I hope this schedule is helpful for you!

For what it’s worth, my characters do not truly gel in my mind before the middle or end of the first draft. I know it’s different for others, but for me, I need some time with their story before I really figure them out.

RWA is a great resource, and I hope you have a great year of writing. Thanks so much for the kind wishes!

I struggle with genre: Those childhood friends who wouldn’t watch the original Star Wars movies with me because they were “sci-fi” – and I’m, like, it’s not sci-fi, it’s Star Wars, epic story, and adventure! . . . wait, I guess it is sci-fi. 🙂

I am so glad you shared this …..
And believe me reading the comments was the best part …. there are so many people out there like me … I guess I’m a bit late but will start following the schedule today …. loved the idea of reading blurbs … Thank you so much … I really am motivated …. 🙂

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